People are taking CBD oil to relieve pain and anxiety, improve sleep, and help their body better regulate itself. In this CBD oil buyer’s guide, we will explain to you how to pick the best CBD oil based on your preferences. Our goal is to help you buy quality, tested products—and save money.
*Marc, Ed, and Melena speak to brands weekly to bring our readers the best value CBD. Check back regularly because we’re constantly updating offers.
NuLeaf Naturals
All NuLeaf natural products are formulated to have the same 50mg of CBD in each milliliter. They sell 5 different bottle sizes and customers save when they buy larger. Online reviews and testimonials touted NuLeaf Naturals as a good CBD oil for pain because of the concentrated formula.
*Special offer for Remedy Review readers: Use code REMEDY20 to receive 20 percent off at checkout.
Charlotte’s Web
Charlotte’s Web is an established brand with a proud history of sourcing American hemp. These oils may help support calm for focus, the management of normal, everyday stresses, and healthy sleep cycles.*
*Special offer for Remedy Review readers: Use code RR2019 to receive 10 percent off at checkout. (One use per customer, maximum 5 products, and exclusions apply—including Original Formula and bulk products.)
Populum
For conditions like sleep and anxiety, people report needing to take consistent dosages on a regular basis. They also want something that isn’t terrible to swallow each time they take a dose. Populum oils have a nice citrus flavor. The oil is light and feels clean in the mouth. The brand also offers “subscribe and save” options to help with the cost of buying CBD monthly.
*Special offer for Remedy Review readers: Use code REMEDY10 to receive 10 percent off at checkout.
CBDistillery
With quality CBD oils starting at $20, CBDistillery offers good products at a great value. Their Colorado-grown product line is comprehensive and affordable options include various oil concentrations, salves, edibles, and suppositories.
*Special offer for Remedy Review readers: Use code RR10 to receive 10 percent off at checkout.
Rosebud CBD
This is a quality product that comes in three different strengths, allowing for customization of dose based on condition and experience. The package also comes with handy dosing cards to help you judge the amount of CBD you’re taking. Led by Alexis Rosenbaum, Rosebud stands out as a female-led cannabis brand. Rosebud has a very natural taste and aftertaste, which some family and friends hated. But the payoff was a strong relaxation, especially with the more highly concentrated products.
*Rosebud’s website is currently down. Check back for updates.
Let’s get smarter…
It’s important to do your homework before buying CBD oil. These products can impact your health, so you should take each brand’s quality control practices seriously. The hemp-derived CBD market is full of unproven medical claims, new players, and sexy brands, so do research.
To pick the best CBD oil for you, here’s a few quick tips.
We have spoken to
They all say consumers should be careful.
You should consult a professional when making decisions about your health. You should also know that despite strong anecdotal evidence to support the impact of CBD, clinical trials are limited and these products are not FDA-approved. We aim to be a measured voice, to help you get good info. But our advice is editorial—not medical. Talk to a doctor.
Use your head. Say you need to take 50mg of CBD. So you buy gummies that are 10mg each. How much sugar and corn syrup did you eat to get your CBD dose? Remember, you want a supplement—not a snack. Ask yourself if the product you’re buying makes sense. Also, say you found gummies that promise 500mg of CBD for $15. Everywhere else sells the same for $50. Did this brand find a magic way to lower the cost of growing, extracting, and packaging CBD? Or is this brand bogus? |
People are taking CBD tinctures for sleep, pain, and anxiety. They are looking for relief. We think products with this kind of health potential should be quality and safe. We think the brands that make them should be transparent.
We also understand comparing brands is difficult. That’s why we want to point out 6 Core Principles that you can use to easily review CBD oil brands. Use these key differentiators to make simple, personal decisions about what CBD brand is right for you.
Principle | What it means to you |
Value ($/mg) | By dividing the price of a bottle by the milligrams of CBD in that bottle, you can make a more simple cost comparison. Note: cost/milliliter is another judge of value. But we think “how much CBD you get” is more important than “how much product you get.” |
Strength (mg/ml) | All these bottles are labeled differently. Some have names like “classic” or “full strength.” By dividing the milligrams in a bottle by the milliliters of liquid, you get a simple way to compare strength. |
Source (USA/European/Other) | Since the 2014 Farm Bill, most brands have had enough time to locate and transition to American hemp. We believe in American hemp. Brands that source hemp from Europe can make perfectly fine products, but we support hemp grown in the U.S.A. |
Flavor | Flavor is an important differentiator when you’re putting a product in your mouth. A lot of these products taste like hemp, which is very natural and earthy. Others use different flavors to cover this taste. |
Transparency | We believe all brands must clearly post or make easily accessible recent third-party test results. They should also be open and clear about the extraction methods they use. |
Corporate Citizenship | We will provide notes on customer service, buying experience, and brand mission. As well as notes on non-profit or assistance initiatives that can help distinguish brands. |
These are the 6 things we believe customers should use to compare CBD oil brands. But this information only provides a foundation.
Once you narrow your list of brands, consider some other things.
Is the product full-spectrum or an isolate? We believe full-spectrum oils have greater therapeutic value. Some people talk about the “entourage effect,” or multiple cannabinoids working together. Experts we talk to support the idea of whole-plant therapy. Look for full-spectrum oils. Be careful not to get duped into buying products that use words like “pure” or “potent.” See past the marketing.
Does this brand operate in a state where marijuana is legal? States that have legalized marijuana have more standardized regulations. The industry in these places has infrastructure and processes in place. States that only allow limited cultivation of industrial hemp simply have less resources to scrutinize product development.
Do I want a brand that does one thing great or has everything I need? Consider product diversity. Some people like to shop brands who have a very narrow expertise. Other people like access to capsules, vapes, gummies, and suppositories all in one place. The main thing to look out for is white labeling. Is the company who sells everything accountable for the manufacturing of those products or are they a storefront?
Does this brand have assistance programs and military discounts available? Medicine and supplements are expensive. We like seeing brands who make access to their products easier.
Get regulate updates and deals from our team.
Ananda Hemp
The team at Ananda Hemp believes health starts with a single seed. Their parent company holds one of the largest private cannabis seed banks in the world. It was this soil-to-shelf commitment that first drew us to the products. 🌱
CBDistillery
Our team started paying attention to CBDistillery because our customers were buying their products a high rate. And what better endorsement can a brand get: People like you, folks looking for relief, thought CBDistillery was the best bang-for-the-buck in CBD.
*Special offer for Remedy Review readers: Use code RR10 to receive 10 percent off at checkout.
CBDfx
Diverse product catalogue allows you to find any type of product you need. We have also had conversations with the product leaders at CBDfx and this is not a brand that sacrifices quality or safety to keep their shelves stocked.
*Special offer for Remedy Review readers: Use code remedyreview10 to receive 10 percent off at checkout.
Charlotte’s Web
Colorado company with long history of making organic, flavorful CBD oils, this brand has a remarkable origin story and a track record of abiding strict safety standards.
*Special offer for Remedy Review readers: Use code RR2019 to receive 10 percent off at checkout. (One use per customer, maximum 5 products, and exclusions apply—including Original Formula and bulk products.)
Fab CBD
A quality, good-tasting product that is championed by an increasingly robust online community. Fab CBD’s online following has translated into strong anecdotal feedback about the relaxing power of the products. 🎉
Green Roads World
Green Roads World has a large selection of CBD products, which makes for easy online shopping. But it’s the bundle and save options that stood out to our team when we were researching brands.
*Special offer for Remedy Review readers: Use code REMEDY15 to receive 15 percent off at checkout.
Lazarus Naturals
The French Vanilla Mocha 750mg tincture is one of the best products we tested in terms of flavor, strength, and relaxation. We understood why when test results came back showing such a strong terpene profile. 🛏️
*Special offer for Remedy Review readers: Use code remrev10 to receive 10 percent off at checkout.
NuLeaf Naturals
Strong, concentrated CBD oils, these products all come in around 50mg per 1mL. The bottle we sent off for independent third-party testing came back 15% stronger than the label said. ⚡
*Special offer for Remedy Review readers: Use code REMEDY20 to receive 20 percent off at checkout.
PlusCBD Oil™
With a long history in the space, PlusCBD Oil has contributed to the rise in popularity of CBD and the expanding availability of hemp through their work with the Hemp Roundtable.
*Special offer for Remedy Review readers: Use code REMEDY to receive 15 percent off at checkout.
Populum
This is the best tasting CBD oil we tried. It has a clean citrus flavor that covers the taste of hemp. When a staff member’s mom told us she loved the effects of CBD but couldn’t stand the taste, Populum is what we sent her. 👅
*Special offer for Remedy Review readers: Use code REMEDY10 to receive 10 percent off at checkout.
Rosebud
This is a female-led business with a simple, effective product line that works. We like the simple approach to strong, natural products. 👩
*Special offer for Remedy Review readers: Use code RemedyReview to receive 10 percent off at checkout. (Good for one-time use only. No expiration date.)
Note: For consistency of comparison, we bought each brands basic, lowest concentration oil. Because a lot of people who use our website are new to CBD, we started with these “entry level” bottles. These costs reflect prices when we pulled our list in October 2018.
Brand | Description | Entry Cost | Value ($/mg) |
Strength (mg/mL) |
Review Highlight |
Bluebird Botanicals | Products: Multiple
Hemp source: Colorado 🇺🇸 Extraction process: CO2 & Ethanol Test results: On website |
$24.95
30mL/250mg |
$0.10 | 8 | Easy to navigate online store and very transparent test results posted on product pages. Peppery, spicy flavor profile. |
CBDistillery | Products: Multiple
Hemp source: Colorado 🇺🇸 Extraction process: CO2 Test results: On website |
$20
30mL/250mg |
$0.08 | 8 | Comprehensive, affordable product offering, including edibles and suppositories. |
CBDfx | Products: Multiple
Hemp source: European Extraction process: CO2 Test results: On website |
$74.99
30mL/500mg |
$0.15 | 16 | Wide product selection. Easy to shop website. |
CW Hemp | Products: Multiple
Hemp source: Colorado 🇺🇸 Test results: On website |
$39.99
30mL/300mg |
$0.16 | 8 | Easy to navigate online store. Multiple flavor options. |
Dixie Botanicals | Products: Multiple
Hemp source: Europe Extraction process: CO2 Test results: Upon request |
$29
30mL/100mg |
$0.29 | 3 | Comprehensive product offering across a range of brands. Hemp is sourced from Europe. |
Endoca | Products: Multiple
Hemp source: Scandinavia Extraction process: CO2 Test results: Upon request |
$31
10mL/300mg |
$0.10 | 30⚡ | Developed a fund to help parents with financial hardships acquire CBD for their children. |
Functional Remedies | Products: Tinctures, capsules, salves
Hemp source: Colorado 🇺🇸 Extraction process: Lipid infusion (coconut oil) Test results: Upon request |
$37.99
30mL/250mg |
$0.15 | 8 | Simple to use online store though website content and product descriptions are geared toward a more sophisticated customer. |
Green Mountain | Products: Tinctures, capsules, salves
Hemp source: Vermont 🇺🇸 Extraction process: Lipid infusion (coconut oil) Test results: On website |
$30
60mL/600mg |
$0.05 | 10 | Highly transparent, mission-driven business with a simple, pure product. |
MedixCBD | Products: Multiple
Hemp source: Kentucky 🇺🇸 Extraction process: CO2 Test results: Upon request |
$45.99
15mL/250mg |
$0.18 | 16 | Quick clean and easy online shopping experience. |
Nuleaf Naturals | Products: Tinctures
Hemp source: Colorado 🇺🇸 Extraction process: CO2 Test results:Available Upon request |
$38.50
5 mL/240mg |
$0.16 | 48⚡ | Natural, transparent brand. Free shipping and thousands of 5 star reviews. |
Populum | Products: Tinctures, salves, pets 🐾
Hemp source: Colorado 🇺🇸 Extraction process: Ethanol Test results: On website |
$59.00
30mL/250mg |
$0.24 | 8 | Offers free shipping and monthly subscribe-to-save feature. |
Rosebud CBD Oil | Products: Tinctures
Hemp source: Oregon 🇺🇸 Extraction process: CO2 Test results: On website |
$55
15mL/350mg |
$0.16 | 23⚡ | Subscription option offers savings of 10%. |
Green Roads World | Products: oils, capsules, isolates, edibles, topical creams, pet products
Hemp source: Colorado 🇺🇸 Extraction process: CO2 Test results: On website |
$45.99
15mL/250mg |
$0.18 | 17 | Broad product selection, military discount and partnership with org treating veterans with PTSD and suicidal thoughts. |
CBD BioCare | Products: hemp oil extract, pain creams, skincare
Hemp source: U.S. 🇺🇸 Extraction Process: CO2 Test results: On website |
$64.99
30mL/500mg |
$0.13 | 17 | Organically grown and FDA approved with medical staff available for questions, cost effective |
CBD Infusionz | Products: oils, isolates and concentrate, capsules, edibles, pre-roll joints, pet products, lotions and salves
Source: Unknown Extraction process: Unknown Test results: On website |
$44.99
29mL/300mg |
$0.15 | 10 | One of the widest product selections, competitive pricing and great customer service. Source of hemp and extraction process unclear |
Irie CBD | Products: oil blends, tinctures, topical pain cream and face serum
Hemp source: Oregon 🇺🇸 Extraction process: CO2 Test results: Available upon request, soon to be on website ***Discount: Use code RR15 for 15% off |
$34.97
32mL/250mg |
$0.14 | 8 | American-sourced hemp with products designed for different needs such as “daily,” “calm,” “pain,” and “feminine” products. |
Pure Hemp Botanicals | Products: tincture, capsules, crystals, vapes, mints, tea, pet products
Hemp source: Colorado 🇺🇸 Extraction process: ethanol, winterization, distillation Test results: On website |
$34.95
30mL/300mg |
$0.12 | 10 | Inexpensive, broad product selection and subscription services, mission-driven organization with social and environmental impact focus. |
Receptra Naturals | Products: oil extract, topical products, lip balm, pet products
Hemp source: Colorado 🇺🇸 Extraction process: dried hemp flowers washed with food grade alcohol Test results: On website |
$24.95
15mL/250mg |
$0.10 | 17 | Special focus on solutions for athletes and very effective for sports injury pain relief. |
Kat’s Naturals | Products: Tinctures, topicals, skin serum, activated hemp flower, pet drops
Hemp source: Southeastern U.S. 🇺🇸 Extraction process: CO2 Test results: On website ***Discount: Use code Remedy15 for 15% off |
$18.00
30mL/300mg |
$0.06 | 10 | Certificates of Analysis (COAs) are sent with each order. |
FabCBD | Products: CBD oil, topicals, gummies
Hemp source: U.S.A. 🇺🇸 Extraction process: CO2 Test results: On website |
$49.00
30mL/150mg |
$0.32 | 5 | Price per milligram decreases a great deal as CBD potency increases. |
Ananda Hemp | Products: CBD oil, gel capsules, salve, intimate oil, pet productsHemp source: Kentucky 🇺🇸
Test results: On website |
$39.95
10mL/200mg |
$0.20 | 20 | Even the entry level bottle of hemp oil is highly concentrated with CBD. |
Lazarus Naturals | Products: Tinctures, capsules, balm, CBD isolate, pet products
Extraction process: Ethanol Test results: On website ***Discount: Use code remrev10 for 10% off |
$12.00
15mL/225mg |
$0.05 | 15 | Large product selection that is primarily vegan and gluten-free. |
Elixinol | Products: Wide variety
Hemp source: U.S.A. and Europe Extraction process: CO2 Test results: On website |
$29.99
30mL/300mg |
$0.10 | 10 | Donate 5% of every purchase to a non-profit of the customer’s choice. |
Hemp Health Inc. | Products: Wide variety
Hemp source: Colorado 🇺🇸 Extraction process: CO2 Test results: Upon request |
$19.98
30mL/120mg |
$0.17 | 4 | Easy process for requesting lab test results for any and all products. |
Joy Organics | Products: Wide variety
Hemp source: Colorado 🇺🇸 Extraction process: Ethanol Test results: On website |
$34.95
30mL/250mg |
$0.14 | 8 | Free shipping, THC-free products, and a 30-day money back guarantee to ensure that customers are satisfied. |
Select CBD | Products: CBD vape pens, oils, pet products, and topicals
Hemp source: Unavailable Test results: Upon request |
$65.00
30mL/1000mg |
$0.06 | 33⚡ | Easy to navigate website and veterans are eligible for a discount. |
CBD Pure | Products: CBD hemp oil and capsules
Hemp source: Colorado 🇺🇸 Extraction process: CO2 Test results: On website |
$29.99
60mL/100mg |
$0.30 | 2 | Completely naturally-derived CBD oil that’s backed by a 90-day money back guarantee. |
Earth Science Tech | Products: CBD oil, capsules, hemp powder, pet products
Hemp source: Europe Extraction process: CO2 Test results: On website |
$49.99
15mL/328.5mg |
$0.15 | 22 | Committed to studying the science behind CBD and keeping customers informed. |
Theramu | Products: CBD oil, topical balm, eye serum, bath crystals
Hemp source: Unknown Test results: Upon request ***Discount: Use code REMEDY for 20% off |
$89.95
30mL/300mg |
$0.30 | 10 | Well-known for their balms that feature emu oil and help deepen the effects of a CBD topical. |
Highland Pharms | Products: Wide variety
Hemp source: Colorado 🇺🇸 Extraction process: CO2 Test results: On website |
$39.95
30mL/250mg |
$0.16 | 8 | Free shipping on all orders and almost every type of CBD product to choose from. |
CBD Essence | Products: Tinctures, edibles, capsules, topicals, pet care
Hemp source: U.S.A. and Europe Extraction process: CO2 Test results: On website |
$44.00
30mL/300mg |
$0.15 | 10 | Flat rate $5 shipping fee and 30-day return policy for any unopened products. |
Infinite CBD | Products: Wide variety
Hemp source: Colorado 🇺🇸 Extraction process: Unknown Test results: On website |
$15.00
30mL/250mg |
$0.06 | 8 | Customers can choose if they want to add specific terpenes to their CBD oil for a small cost. |
Proleve | Products: Tinctures, gummies, salve, vape, isolate
Hemp source: Colorado 🇺🇸 Extraction process: CO2 Test results: On website |
$35.00
30mL/500mg |
$0.07 | 17 | Committed to customer satisfaction and offer a military/veterans discount. |
Verified CBD | Products: Wide variety
Hemp source: Kentucky 🇺🇸 Extraction process: CO2 Test results: On website |
$43.95
30mL/500mg |
$0.09 | 17 | Fast and free worldwide shipping, as well as subscribe and save options for reoccurring orders. |
Mana Botanicals | Products: Tinctures, hemp oils, topicals, honey, and pet oil
Hemp source: Colorado 🇺🇸 Extraction process: Unknown Test results: Upon request |
$40.00
30mL/150mg |
$0.27 | 5 | You can find the source of every ingredient within their products right down to the farms themselves. |
Hemp Lucid | Products: Wide variety
Hemp source: Unknown Extraction process: CO2 Test results: On website |
$46.95
30mL/250mg |
$0.19 | 8 | Customers can choose whether their CBD contains MCT oil, hemp seed oil, or if it’s water-soluble. |
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound found in cannabis. It exists in marijuana and hemp. We’re focused on CBD as a derivative of the hemp plant.
Cannabinoids like CBD work by empowering your endocannabinoid system to regulate physiological and cognitive functions like appetite, anxiety, mood, pain-sensation, and inflammation.
If you talk to someone who has studied cannabis, they will tell you that cannabinoids (or phytocannabinoids, in plants) were part of the human diet for a very long time, dating back centuries. Your body even produces its own cannabinoids that are called endocannabinoids. Adding cannabis derivatives to your wellness plan gives your body more cannabinoids to use.
People are taking CBD oil (from hemp) because it is an easy-to-use supplement that may offer the healing potential of cannabis without the high. It’s that simple. Many of us have heard of the medical applications of marijuana but we can’t get high each time we feel an ache or get overwhelmed.
Talk to your doctor about how certain medications might interact with CBD.
Check your state’s laws
Most states have laws that allow hemp-based CBD products. But these laws are not always clear. We do not recommend traveling or flying with CBD.
Check test results
Brands should show third-party test results on their website or send these results to you upon request. There are a number of things a you can look for in these results when deciding between CBD oil brands.
Understand product concentrations
Concentrations vary from 1 mg CBD per milliliter to 50 or 100 mg per milliliter.
If a bottle has 500mg of CBD and 30ml in the bottle, you can get an estimate of the number of milligrams in a milliliter. In this case about 17 mg/ml.
Other times you will see brands list the milligrams in a “serving.” Often a serving is 1 milliliter.
Take time to get your dose right
Dosing guidelines are limited. The best advice is to start low and work your way up to a dose that is right for you. One online resource suggests 1-6 mg of CBD per 10 lbs of body weight. So a 200-pound man might take 20 to 120 mg of CBD. This could be broken out through the course of a day.
Consider concentration when dosing for different conditions. Dosing for anxiety (regular, lower doses) may be very different from dosing for sleep (single, higher doses). That’s not medical advice. It’s what we hear from people who use CBD.
Dosing is the #1 question brands get. It’s the question we get most often. This point can’t be overstated: there is no clear or prescriptive answer.
How your body reacts to CBD is unique. Also, whether you want to “feel relaxed” or simply take a daily supplement is up to you. A capsule may give your body cannabinoids that steadily absorb into your body over time. A vape you’ll feel right away. Oils are closer to vapes in how quickly they work, but they take time to get into your system. Don’t immediately take more. The impact of CBD may be cumulative.
We talk a lot about oils on this page. Oils are a good way to get an efficient dose of CBD. There are also vapes, gummies, capsules, patches, and suppositories available—to name a few.
Shop around. There are brands with better droppers. I like Rosebud’s dropper. Enough to swallow the taste. Some other brands, the droppers are cheaper. You have to keep sucking up portions of droppers to get to a dose. |
Kelsey, 25
I notice I’m slightly more irritable when I skip a day, which might mean CBD relaxes me more than I think.
Emily, 28
I noticed the biggest difference in quality of sleep after two days of use, and it was some of the deepest sleep I’ve ever had. The oil greatly curbed my menstrual pain and allowed me to actually get some rest. I don’t love the taste, but I got used to it.
Tammy, 59
Getting to sleep each night usually requires the careful placement of pillows to form a comfy “nest” plus soft music and a wait-time of 60–90 minutes. I took 2 droppers of CBD oil at bedtime while staying at my daughter’s home. In 35 minutes I was so sleepy and relaxed; I fell asleep easily without extra pillows or music…monumental for a stay away from home!
Tyler, 33
It took about an hour for me to notice a change. But then I was relaxed. My kids were still screaming but their voices were less piercing. I felt more patient. I actually played with trains for an hour and a half.
Ask us a question.
This is a rapidly evolving space. We’re happy to answer questions. Just shoot us a note at editors@remedyreview.com. Please know, we can tell you about a brand’s service, quality control practices, and mission. But we will not give you medical advice.
Here are some questions you can use to lead a conversation with your doctor.
At the end of the day, choosing the best cannabis brand means finding one you’re comfortable with. Keep in mind, while the World Health Organization has said CBD is relatively safe with positive therapeutic potential, human studies are limited. It’s important to talk to your doctor about a treatment plan that is right for you.
According to the World Health Organization, CBD “is generally well tolerated, with a good safety profile.” You should speak to your doctor about how CBD may interact with any medications you’re currently taking.
No. CBD lacks the psychoactive properties of THC. Where THC interacts with your receptors in your brain, CBD affects your body in a more indirect way.
6-8 hours is a good starting place for how long oils last. But it will depend on your body and how your body processes CBD.
You want to be careful taking anything that can impact your health. These products also may interact with medicines you are taking, which is why you should talk to your doctor. A high dose can make you drowsy. One certainty if you take too much: you will waste money.
After reading this buyer’s guide we hope you’re a more savvy CBD consumer who can better separate fact from fiction in this ever-evolving space.
Choices about your health are personal. In the end, review CBD oil brands based on what is important to you. Try different products until you find the flavor, potency, and cost that fits your needs.
By clicking on the product links in this article, Remedy Review may receive a commission fee at no cost to you, the reader. Read full disclosure statement.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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